Schoen: Republicans Can ‘Stand Up for Your Principles and Survive’

Democratic pollster Doug Schoen tells Newsmax that Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s victory on Tuesday proves that Republicans across the country can stand up for their principles — and survive.

“You can stand up for your principles and survive against big labor,” Schoen explained in an exclusive interview on Tuesday night. “It also says the presidential race is a cliffhanger nationally. And that it is now tied — a dead heat — and it shows that it is still anyone’s race.”

Schoen pointed to Wisconsin exit polls that appeared to reflect a slip in support for President Barack Obama among that state’s voters from earlier polls.

“If we’re seeing a 3-percent drop and that is projected nationally, that would turn a 5-point-race into a 1- or 2-point-race,” said Schoen, who believes that the Wisconsin recall election will embolden both Republicans and Democrats — but for different reasons.

“I think the story was money, turnout, message, candidate — and most of all a desire not to interrupt the democratic process,” Schoen explained. “If every day elected officials were recalled because voters disagreed with them, we wouldn’t have a political system. And I think a small percentage of voters — or probably a critical number — said ‘enough is enough.’”

He added that voters also validated Walker’s policies to some extent.

“It is a ratification of what Walker has done in the sense that people believe that you don’t recall someone based on disagreement with his record,” according to Schoen. “It’s an endorsement — at least partially — of the need to reform collective bargaining.”

Schoen emphasized that Walker’s victory over Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is not all good news for Republicans.

“It’s also a warning sign for those on the right that the left, labor, and President Obama are certainly not by any means defeated,” according to Schoen.